This month I celebrated my 4th Blog Anniversary and I decided it was a great time for me to share a bit more me and why I started Mademoiselle Scientist . My name is Martina and I am a toxicologist, science communicator, and STEM education advocate. I started Mademoiselle Scientist as a way to share my journey as a woman in STEM and support the next generation of scientists. I am passionate about all things STEM: research, mentoring, education and outreach. I want to help scientists succeed, students excel and share information that I have learned along my journey. I see myself as a mentor sharing advice I wish I would have known when I was getting started in STEM.
Early in my journey, there were not many resources like we have today. I remember taking a Minorities in STEM Freshman Seminar Class at Penn State and that was the first time I saw a large group of students who looked like me that were aspiring scientists and engineers. A few years later I found myself surrounded by even more scientists and engineers at the National Society of Black Engineers National Convention. Now I am seeing an increasing number of scientists and engineers who are in leadership roles in higher education, science policy, research and science communication that as a freshman I did not see.
It is incredible to see science, education and research change, but it is also amazing that I have this platform. When I started my Mademoiselle Scientist I did not think that my experiences, the information I learned along the way and resources would turn into a science community. I just wanted a way to help scientists, especially college and underrepresented students learn that they too can become scientists and engineers.
Every day the science community is growing. When I started Mademoiselle Scientist there were only a few blogs out there. Out of the few blogs, I read there were not many blogs that shared information to help scientists, college students and those thinking about graduate school. Also, I did not see many blogs run by minorities or women in STEM. Today there is a platform for everyone.
A Few of My Favorite Blogs in the Science Community:
Minorities in STEM:
Science Education & Academia:
Science Careers and Life:
Blogs for Science Knowledge:
I’m happy to see the science community grow and that there are more resources available. If we want our science community to grow we need to share our stories and resources. There are many pathways to science: research, academia, science policy and STEM education just to name a few. When I was in college and graduate school no one talked about alternative careers outside of the bench or academia. Now the conversations are happening.
STEM is diverse and I am noticing a change. Today’s generation of scientists and engineers represent a mix of diverse talents and skills.
How do you want to help the science community? Share below.
Mademoiselle Scientist 
Thanks for the shout out! Most of my blogging will now be on the ASBMB careers blog at http://www.asbmb.org/Careers/Blog/. I think what you say about building a community is key for success, which is something I never experienced until starting to blog, working with groups like ASBMB and meeting awesome people like you. I wish I had that support early on and maybe I would have finished my degree program. But I also didn’t talk about it, so I encourage others to advocate for the support they need and join community-minded groups. Glad to see you are back at the blogging–we need your voice!
You’re welcome and thank you for your comment. I will check out your posts on the ASBMB careers blog. Support is everything. I am glad I met you through blogging as well and happy I am blogging again so I share my story and encourage others.
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